Inhibition of interleukin 2 production and expression of the interleukin 2 receptor by plasma from acquired immune deficiency syndrome patients.

Plasmas from acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and AIDS-related complex (ARC) patients were screened for their ability to inhibit mitogen-induced proliferation of normal human lymphocytes. Plasmas from 67% of the individuals examined contained significant suppressive activity. Additional studies on the mechanism of action of the plasma inhibitor demonstrated that it functions as a nonlymphotoxic inhibitor of interleukin 2 production by stimulated human lymphocytes, and that this activity is accompanied by suppression of expression of the cell surface receptor for interleukin 2. A more detailed understanding of the action of this activity may aid in the design of therapy to minimize the contribution of this agent to the immune anergy observed in these patients.